Cheering all the way...

Ganesh was diagnosed with schizophrenia in his late teens, circa 1980. He experienced florid symptoms of the condition, including hallucinations and delusions. The symptoms receded after three years of treatment; however, many allied issues like social withdrawal, inappropriate emotions, and low self-esteem remained. Nevertheless, he overcame much of the secondary distress of the affliction through sheer serendipity and some self-analyses besides newer antipsychotics. He is 65 years old and has been on some form of medication for the past 45 years.

Ganesh has an engineering degree, a Master's in Business, and another in Social and Applied Economics from Ohio, USA. He consulted for businesses in the USA, India, and Japan. Now entirely retired from corporate engagement, he is a mental health volunteer.

Ganesh recently participated as a speaker and panelist at the Early Psychosis Intervention Conference (IEPA 14) in Lausanne, Switzerland. He discussed his experience of onset, manifestation, and coping mechanisms. Also, as a panelist on innovative interventions in middle—and low-income countries, Ganesh opined that given the resource crunch, using "whatever works" becomes important.

Ganesh mediates an online self-help support group for mental health with the Eklavya Foundation for Mental Health, Pune, India. These sessions, conducted in English, use a locally adapted version of Dr. Abraham Low's Recovery International methodology. Ganesh also organizes guest speakers for the group and broader audiences on various topics related to mental health. Topics range from "Staying Positive" to "Music and Mental Health." The group has been active for two years.

Furthermore, Ganesh is on the Lived Experience Advisory Board (LEAB) of the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), India. He participated in PIECES, a community research program, and contributed to refining DIALOG+, a computer app-based recovery study. In another facet of research, he is the India 'Lead' of the LEAB for INTREPID III, an ambitious research program of King's College, London. Currently, researchers are defining desired outcomes for people with mental illness in India, Nigeria, and Trinidad. Inputs from Persons With Lived Experiences (PWLEs) are being factored in to bring focus to a team of researchers. In this project's just kicked-off stage, Ganesh is part of a team developing various pre-engagement instruments for Focus Group Discussions and pilot studies.

Ganesh has authored two books, Being Here Now [Non-fiction – First published as I, Me and Us], and God Flipped Me Off [A work of fiction that aims to inform as it entertains]. His writings capture the essence of everything that facilitated his return - rejuvenated. The non-fiction book explores unorthodox bases for managing schizophrenia. It provides prescriptions for a revised outlook and worldview to help an afflicted person function. Ganesh’s other book is an easy-to-read fiction in an Indian setting that attempts to demystify and reduce stigma.

Ganesh is married, with children, and lives in Tamil Nadu, India.